Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) has been selected to supply the front-end recycling system for CarbonLITE’s newest post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) plant. BHS also provided the front-end recycling system for CarbonLITE’s Dallas facility, which began production in the fourth quarter of 2017. CarbonLITE is one of the world’s largest producers of bottle-grade rPET.

The Lehigh Valley, Pa.-area plant will produce 80 million pounds of rPET pellets per year. Installation is scheduled to conclude in the fourth quarter of this year, and the plant will be fully operational in 2020. The advanced plastics recycling system will allow CarbonLITE to recycle more than 6 billion plastic bottles per year, companywide.

The system is designed to process 14 tons per hour and operate four shifts without manual sort labor. BHS has equipped the system with its latest technology, including artificial intelligence-driven (AI) robotic sorters. Max-AI technology from BHS employs neural network-based AI to identify recyclables and direct sorting decisions for recycling equipment including robotic and optical sorters. Included are Max-AI AQC-2 units (for autonomous quality control), featuring dual robotic sorters with each robot capable of picking and placing up to 60 items per minute.

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The system’s NRT SpydIR with Max-AI units employ NRT’s In-Flight Sorting technology to precisely identify PET plastic by polymer type while Max-AI technology identifies non-target PET. The Max-AI integration also allows for object recognition, black plastic identification and material composition analysis. The optical sensing and AI technologies work in collaboration, allowing the ability to suppress separation of clamshells and thermoform trays and target only PET bottles.

The system also gathers material composition data and performance metrics from its AI and optical equipment, scales, motors, bunkers, baler and other sources, all of which is communicated to the customer with BHS’ new Total Intelligence Platform (TIP).

“BHS has been a valued partner throughout the years and consistently has new ideas to help our plants improve and operate successfully,” said CarbonLITE Chairman Leon Farahnik in a statement. “The BHS system, along with NRT and Max, offers unprecedented intelligence and performance that aligns with our vision. Through state-of-the-art facilities, technologies and equipment, CarbonLITE is fully invested in and committed to helping preserve our precious resources, reduce the PET industry’s carbon footprint, diminish our landfill problems and protect our waterways.”

“The CarbonLITE team has been aggressive in its pursuit of processing excellence and growth,” said BHS CEO Steve Miller in a statement. “This system really showcases what’s possible with the most recent Max technology— a fully automated recycling system that can produce pure rPET feedstock 24 hours a day. The system will have the intelligence to analyze system health and capture performance metrics in real time. CarbonLITE’s actions continue to build up processing capacity in the U.S. while solving real-world problems, and we’re appreciative of the opportunity to once again be a part of their success.”